Oskaloosa meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oskaloosa Council adopts FY2027 budget amendment, advances Natatorium payments

The Oskaloosa City Council, at its Aug. 17 meeting, adopted a fiscal year 2027 budget amendment and approved payments for the Natatorium project, among other actions. All votes were unanimous except one abstention.

Council actions

The council approved a consent agenda that included July 2026 financial reports (7-0) and appointed Richelle Holle to the Arts and Culture Commission (7-0). It also approved:

• $2,550 to the Iowa DNR for wastewater permit fees (7-0)
• $277,170.42 to Carl A Nelson & Company for the Natatorium project (7-0)
• $6,085.50 to SVPA for Natatorium services (7-0)
• Resolution 26-08-118 for the FY2027 budget amendment and public hearing (7-0)
• Resolution 26-08-124 for an alley vacation at 1106 1st Ave West (7-0)
• Liquor license applications, including a new license for 1775's Oskaloosa Outpost (6-0, 1 abstention)

Councilmember Drost abstained from the liquor license vote due to a conflict of interest.

Housing partnership discussed

On Aug. 11, the City Council held a special joint study session with the school board to discuss a potential housing partnership. They reviewed proposed city improvements to school-owned lots north of Community Stadium and the school's contribution. No formal decisions were made; the only actions were approving the agenda (5-0) and adjourning at 6:06 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission met Aug. 21 to consider two certificates of appropriateness: one for a front facade replacement at 122 North Market Street and one for signs at 124 South 1st Street. The commission also was to approve minutes from its July 17 meeting and hear public comments. Minutes from the Aug. 21 meeting have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Library Board of Trustees** – Aug. 24, 2026. The board will swear in a new member, approve the use of Moyer Bequest funds for building improvements and maintenance, and approve MidAmerican invoices and the monthly claims list. Community comments are limited to 30 minutes total.
• **Airport Commission** – Sept. 1, 2026. The commission will select an airport consultant, plan runway repairs, renew PMMIC insurance, and set the October meeting date. It will also review financial reports and bills, and follow up on old business including hangar door inspection, fuel tank removal, and a farm lease renewal at $340 per acre for five years (from August minutes). Bills totaling $1,530.14 were approved in August.

Oskaloosa Council approves sewer payment, parking changes; planning panel recommends alley denial

The Oskaloosa City Council on Aug. 3 approved a $82,745.66 payment for sewer work and adopted a parking ordinance amendment, among other actions. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denying one alley vacation request while approving two others. No items were denied or tabled at the council meeting.

Council approves sewer payment, tree removal, parking changes

The council voted 6-0 to approve a consent agenda that included liquor licenses, July claims, and several resolutions. Key items:

• **Sewer project payment:** Approved a $82,745.66 pay application to TK Construction for sewer work.
• **Tree removal contract:** Adopted Resolution 26-07-114 with Sigourney Tree Care.
• **Parking ordinance:** Adopted Ordinance 1502 amending parking regulations.
• **Downtown improvement grant:** Amended a grant for 109 High Ave W (Resolution 26-07-115).
• **Appointments:** Corey Trainer to the Library Board and Kathryn Schippers to the Arts & Culture Commission.
• **Copy machine lease:** Approved a lease and maintenance agreement (Resolution 26-07-116).
• **Wastewater repairs:** Approved a contract with Woddruff Construction for bar screen repairs (Resolution 26-07-117).

All votes were 6-0.

Planning and Zoning recommends alley decisions

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend denial of Dustin Lanphier's request to vacate the alley adjacent to 1106 1st Ave West, following staff recommendation and neighbor opposition citing access needs. Scholtus dissented.

The commission unanimously recommended approval of alley vacations at 608 C Ave West and 707 4th Ave E, forwarding them to the City Council. It also approved the July 7, 2026 meeting minutes.

Other meetings

The Airport Commission met Aug. 4 to discuss hangar door inspection, fuel tank removal, a farm lease renewal, and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. No minutes have been published.

The City Council held a study session with the Oskaloosa School Board on Aug. 11 to discuss a possible housing partnership. No formal decisions were scheduled.

Coming up

The City Council meets Aug. 17 with a regular agenda that includes:

• **Rezoning:** Third reading of an ordinance to rezone 1714 3rd Avenue East from LI Limited Industrial to LI Limited Industrial Planned Unit Development.
• **Public hearings:** On weed assessments (May 2026) and on vacation and sale of alleys at 1106 1st Ave West and 707 4th Ave E.
• **YMCA Natatorium:** Approval of a $277,170.42 pay application.
• **Budget:** Resolution to set a public hearing on the FY2027 budget amendment for Sept. 8, 2026.
• **Closed session** to discuss real estate.

The meeting also includes a consent agenda with routine financial reports, payments, and appointments.

Oskaloosa City Council to consider $82,745 sewer payment, wastewater repairs

Oskaloosa city boards and commissions held several meetings in late July and early August, with the City Council's agenda featuring the largest financial items. The council's August 3 meeting included a proposed $82,745.66 payment for sanitary sewer improvements and a contract for repairs at the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility. All meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no final votes are confirmed.

City Council

The council's August 3 agenda included:

• Approval of an $82,745.66 payment to TK Construction for Sanitary Sewer Improvements (8th Ave W to 4th Ave W).
• Affirmation of a contract with Sigourney Tree Care LLC for city-wide tree removals.
• An amendment to the parking ordinance to add a 3-hour restriction along South 7th Street (3rd reading).
• Authorization of a lease and maintenance agreement for copy machines, following a public hearing.
• Approval of a contract with Woodruff Construction for Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility Bar Screen repairs.

Library Board

The Oskaloosa Public Library Board met on July 27. Its agenda included discussion and approval of procedures for trespassed individuals, approval of a Trane invoice for diagnosis and repair of Unit #2 condenser, an AirCon invoice for refrigerant for the same unit, an OCLC annual invoice for FirstSearch service, and the monthly claims list. Committee reports indicated most committees did not meet.

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission met on August 4. Items on its agenda were inspection of hangar doors, removal of fuel tanks, renewal of a farm lease, and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.

Planning and Zoning Commission

Also on August 4, the Planning and Zoning Commission considered the vacation and sale of three alleys:

• A 103.4 ft by 16.5 ft alley adjacent to 608 C Ave West.
• Two alleys (240 ft by 16.5 ft and 256.5 ft by 16.5 ft) adjacent to 707 4th Ave E.
• A 120 ft by 16.25 ft alley adjacent to 1106 1st Ave West.

These actions would remove public alley designations and allow the land to be sold.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official agenda and minutes page for future meeting notices.

Oskaloosa Council Awards Burlington Road Contract, Approves $484K for 911 Center

The Oskaloosa City Council approved the final plans and awarded the contract for the Burlington Road Reconstruction project on July 6, along with a $484,858 voluntary contribution to the Mahaska County 911 Center for FY2027. Both passed 7-0.

Burlington Road and Infrastructure

The council voted 7-0 to approve final plans and award the contract for the Burlington Road Reconstruction project. Members also approved Pay Application No. 2 of $184,330.99 to TK Construction for sanitary sewer improvements, again 7-0. The Water Board of Trustees, meeting July 13, was scheduled to review a joint Burlington Road project with the City of Oskaloosa and an updated FY 2025-26 capital improvement plan, along with invoices totaling $677,595.62. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

911 Center Contribution

The council approved a $484,858 voluntary contribution to the Mahaska County 911 Center for FY2027, passing 7-0.

Downtown Grants and Appointments

The council approved six CORE downtown improvement grants for properties at 109 & 113 High Ave W, 114 N 1st, 122 N Market, and 217 1st Ave E, each passing 7-0. The council appointed Angella Foster, Jen O'Lear, and Tara Rozenboom to the Arts and Culture Commission with terms running to 2028, and Kelsey Veldhuizen to a term ending 2027 — all 7-0. Mark Strasser was reappointed to the Water Board of Trustees to a term expiring June 30, 2032, 7-0.

Ordinances and Rezoning

The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending no-parking and three-hour parking chapters, and the second reading of an ordinance designating the Commercial & Industrial Urban Revitalization Area, each 7-0. A public hearing on rezoning 1714 3rd Ave E from LI to LI Planned Unit Development was scheduled for July 20, passing 6-0 with Drost abstaining.

Planning and Zoning Commission

On July 7, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development plan for a Musco Corp facility at 1714 3rd Avenue East, subject to conditions regarding public sidewalks. The commission also unanimously recommended vacating a small alley segment at 706 High Ave East.

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission met July 7 to discuss renewing the airport farm lease, which expires February 28, 2027, with notice required by September 1. The agenda included inspection of hangar doors with repairs estimated at $8,000–$10,000, removal of fuel tanks, insurance renewal, and unspent grant money allocation. Minutes have not yet been published.

Other Meetings

The City Council held a study session with the Iowa League of Cities on effective council operations on July 6, with no official decisions scheduled. On July 14, the council held a 5:00 p.m. study session with the Oskaloosa School Board at City Hall. The Historic Preservation Commission met July 17 to consider a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage proposed by First State Bank at 101 High Avenue West, review a draft attendance policy, and hear a report on the CORE downtown grant for FY2027. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published.

Coming Up

The City Council meets July 20 to consider a resolution calling a special city election to establish a capital improvements reserve fund and levy an annual tax — a motion continued from the July 6 meeting. The agenda also includes a $9,671.70 payment to SVPA for Natatorium services at the Early Childhood and Recreation Center, Pay Application No. 12 for $299,095.72 to Carl A. Nelson & Company for the YMCA Natatorium Completion project, the second reading of a parking ordinance imposing a three-hour restriction on South 7th Street, and the third reading of the ordinance designating the Commercial & Industrial Urban Revitalization Area.

Oskaloosa Council awards Burlington Road contract, approves $484,858 for 911 center

The Oskaloosa City Council approved final plans and awarded the contract for the Burlington Road Reconstruction project on July 6, part of a slate of decisions that included a $484,858 contribution to the Mahaska County 911 Center and six downtown improvement grants.

Burlington Road and infrastructure

The council voted 7-0 to approve final plans and award the contract for the Burlington Road Reconstruction project. A related sanitary sewer improvement moved forward with a 7-0 vote approving Pay Application No. 2 of $184,330.99 to TK Construction.

The Water Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet July 13 to review a joint Burlington Road project with the City of Oskaloosa, along with June 2026 financial statements and invoices totaling $677,595.62. The board will also consider an updated FY 2025-26 capital improvement plan and a request by Matt Braden to waive after-hour charges.

911 Center contribution

The council approved a $484,858 voluntary contribution to the Mahaska County 911 Center for FY2027, voting 7-0.

Downtown improvement grants

Six CORE downtown improvement grants were approved, each by a 7-0 vote, for properties at 109 & 113 High Ave W, 114 N 1st, 122 N Market, and 217 1st Ave E.

Planning and zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission on July 7 unanimously recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development plan for a Musco Corp facility at 1714 3rd Avenue East, subject to conditions regarding public sidewalks. The council has scheduled a July 20 public hearing on rezoning 1714 3rd Ave E from LI to LI Planned Unit Development; that vote was 6-0, with Drost abstaining.

The commission also unanimously recommended vacating a small alley segment at 706 High Ave East.

Ordinances and appointments

The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending no-parking and three-hour parking chapters, and the second reading of an ordinance designating a Commercial & Industrial Urban Revitalization Area, each by 7-0 votes.

Appointments approved 7-0 each: Angella Foster, Jen O'Lear, and Tara Rozenboom to the Arts and Culture Commission (terms to 2028), and Kelsey Veldhuizen to the same commission (term to 2027). Mark Strasser was reappointed to the Water Board of Trustees, with a term expiring June 30, 2032 (7-0).

Items continued

A motion to hold a special election on establishing a capital improvements reserve fund was continued to the July 20 council meeting.

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission met July 7 to discuss renewal of the airport farm lease, which expires February 28, 2027, with notice required by September 1. The commission also reviewed an inspection of hangar doors with repairs estimated at $8,000–$10,000, an update on removal of fuel tanks, insurance renewal, and unspent grant money allocation. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Council training

The council held a study session featuring Iowa League of Cities training on effective council and municipal operations. No official decisions or public hearings were scheduled.

Coming up

• **July 13, Water Board of Trustees** — Burlington Road joint project, FY 2025-26 CIP update, and invoices totaling $677,595.62.
• **July 14, City Council study session** — Joint meeting with the Oskaloosa School Board at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.
• **July 20, City Council** — Continued item on a special election for a capital improvements reserve fund, and a public hearing on rezoning 1714 3rd Ave E.

Oskaloosa Council approves tobacco permit, fireworks; upcoming meetings eye tax levy, road work

The Oskaloosa City Council met June 25 and approved a retail tobacco permit and a fireworks display for the Southern Iowa Fair, both in unanimous votes. No other recent meetings produced final decisions; a June 22 Library Board meeting was an agenda-only session.

The next two weeks bring several consequential items before city boards, including a proposed special election on a capital improvements tax levy and a public hearing on the Burlington Road Reconstruction Project.

Recent decisions

City Council – June 25

The council voted 6-0 to approve a FY2027 Retail Tobacco Permit for Cork & Bottle. It also voted 6-0 to authorize a fireworks show during the Southern Iowa Fair. The meeting adjourned unanimously (6-0).

Library Board – June 22

The Library Board of Trustees met to elect a President and Vice President, appoint committee members, and review annual invoices for services including Pronunciator online language service and Johnson Controls fire alarm maintenance. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so no votes or decisions are available to report.

Upcoming meetings

City Council – July 6

The council will hold a regular meeting at which it will discuss calling a special election to establish a capital improvements reserve fund. Other notable items include:

• Public hearing and contract award for Burlington Road Reconstruction Project
• Proposed $484,858.00 contribution to Mahaska County 911 Center for FY2027
• Payment of $184,330.99 to TK Construction for sanitary sewer improvements (8th Ave W to 4th Ave W)
• Proposed 3-hour parking restriction on South 7th Street
• Rezoning hearing for 1714 3rd Avenue East to Limited Industrial PUD

The council will also hold a study session on the same day for an Iowa League of Cities training on effective city council and municipal operations. No decisions or public hearings are scheduled for that session.

Airport Commission – July 7

The Oskaloosa Airport Commission will discuss renewing the farm lease at the airport (expiring February 28, 2027). The agenda also includes inspection of hangar doors with estimated repairs of $8,000–$10,000, an update on fuel tank removal, insurance renewal, and allocation of unspent grant money.

Planning and Zoning Commission – July 7

The commission will hold a public hearing on a rezoning application for 1714 3rd Avenue East, proposing to change the designation from Limited Industrial to a Planned Unit Development. It will also consider a request to vacate and sell a 60-foot by 8.25-foot segment of the east-west alley near 706 High Ave East.

Coming up

• **July 6:** City Council regular meeting (special election, Burlington Road, 911 funding) and study session
• **July 7:** Airport Commission (farm lease, hangar repairs)
• **July 7:** Planning and Zoning Commission (rezoning 1714 3rd Ave E, alley vacation)